GOING LIVE: Riot Fest 2012 (Toronto)

What do Ribbed, Fuel For The Hate Game, Hidden World, Pezcore and Milo Goes To College all have in common? They’re timeless dedications to punk from artists who just happened to be stashed into RIOT FEST’s newborn Toronto lineup, which full of homegrown misfits and restless pioneers, made it easy to not ignore the blistering chaos stomping on Fort York’s outdoor stage. Taking a note from it’s brother in Chicago, the brute of a festival smashed ska with Fat Wreck punk, local hardcore with party rock and towards the end of the day, even saw a grizzled Gainesville vet rip on a century-old wooden guitar before Descendents turned back time. You can’t recreate an old love, but through the haze of reckless voices and beating hearts, Riot Fest sure came close on a punk rock Sunday.